Erik ten Hag has been named Manchester United‘s new manager, with a deal that runs through June 2025, with an option to extend for another year. After this season, the Dutchman will quit his position as Ajax head coach and begin his stay at Old Trafford. We look at some major issues that the incoming manager – Erik ten Hag must address, including the most critical areas for signings.
Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo
If Erik ten Hag is going to construct a real team, the Portuguese cannot be an automatic option at 37 years old. The question is whether or not Ronaldo can be released, not whether or not he should. With a weekly salary of £490,000, there may be no takers, but if a loan can be arranged – perhaps with Paris Saint-Germain if Kylian Mbappé joins Real Madrid? – the Ronaldo matter may be solved.
The signing of the attacker was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s biggest mistake. Money is taken for a two-year deal — around £50 million – could have been put to better use. A group that was intended to be young, progressive, and quick would not have been handicapped by a footballer who is none of these and is not conducive to long-term success.
Group formation
If Bruno Fernandes feels compelled to burn about Goodison Park in an attempt to re-energize the club, as he did in the dreadful 1-0 loss to Everton, the team is no longer a team. How Fernandes was compelled to do so is also concerning: Ralf Rangnick made no effort to thwart the Portuguese, and this was not the first time under the interim management. United’s lack of structure, shape, plan, ethos, and identity is demonstrated by this. Rangnick comes on a “Godfather of Pressing” ticket, and he hasn’t revealed anything of the approach.
Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp are so effective because they know exactly how they want their teams to play and have had time to perfect it. Solskjaer was given nearly three years, but he never progressed beyond a one-dimensional, counter-attacking strategy, which contributed to his dismissal.Erik ten Hag‘s Ajax had a distinct style of play that included pass and move as well as pressure. So, without a doubt, the Dutchman will put this into practice. In other words, the 52-year-old is obligated to.
Raphael Varane & Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire isn’t as bad as other portrayals, but he’s not good enough to justify his ineligibility. Raphael Varane may be entitled to more time to demonstrate that he belongs in a different file than the captain. When the Frenchman joined last summer, there was speculation that the World Cup champion could help Maguire, who excels in a back three for England.
Erik ten Hag uses a 4-3-3 formation, which is poor news for Maguire, who is sluggish and has questionable touch and decision-making under pressure. Varane is also lethargic, uninterested, and easily pushed aside. It’s time for the 28-year-old to relaunch this summer: Strive to improve your physicality and game-reading skills, along with his sprint speed. Varane’s ability to become a defender of (former) repute, though, remains to be seen. After all, Real Madrid agreed to his sale.
Center-forward and midfield
A defective transfer policy, with top billing given to how no one at the club can seem to find and sign a standout schemer, is as perennial as United’s lack of titles and ludicrous manager recruitment. This refers to a footballer like Kevin De Bruyne or Declan Rice who can take control of a game. Stopping the opponent and igniting attacks is another option — think Fernandinho or N’Golo Kanté. Two midfielders on this plane would be fantastic, one of whom would be a definite plus.
City has a plethora of A-listers, such as Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Rodri. Scott McTominay and Fred are United’s B-acts, as are the seasoned Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, who will almost certainly leave and was not worth a British record transfer fee of £93.2 million.
Ten Hag also requires a No. 9. Ronaldo has been shot, Edinson Cavani is on his way out, Mason Greenwood is now suspended, and Marcus Rashford is having a bad season. Getting a productive center-forward is on par with Ten Hag’s search for a midfielder: it’s just one of the many rabbits he needs to pull out of the hat to get United back into contention.
United concluded that Ten Hag was the candidate most closely linked with the club’s identity and strategy, and was struck by his passion, energy, and enthusiasm for the task of restoring the club to its former glory. He will be the club’s first permanent manager since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped down in November, with Ralf Rangnick serving as an interim replacement.
Ten Hag has been in charge of Ajax for more than 4 years, winning the Dutch league and cup double in both 2018-19 and 2020-21. Last Sunday, his club lost the 2022 cup final against PSV, but they are on track to win another league title.
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